It’s been quite a long time since diamond got its due among women of all centuries and generations, by becoming their best friend. Be it intricately crafted diamond solitaire earnings to equally huge diamond necklaces, Diamond jewellery in India has reached high levels of popularity among many. I, myself, absolutely fascinated by the beauty of this gem, decided to research on it a little, and going through the history of diamond mining in the world; I came across articles about the most famous diamond in the world. It is supposedly called the ‘Hope Diamond’ or the ‘Tavernier Blue’, and is in fact notorious for being cursed.
History has it that a French merchant-traveller, Tavernier, obtained this diamond in the 1600s by theft or by purchase and is said to have weighted a huge 115 carat when it was brought to Paris, hence the name “Tavernier Blue’’. It passed on through many famous hands like King Louis XV, before reaching the Smithsonian museum it is displayed at today.
One popular myths surrounding the diamond are that it was perhaps stolen from the forehead of a Hindu deity and hence since then is said to be cursed, bringing ill faith to all those who own it. In fact, Tavernier himself is said to have been ripped open by wild dogs on his travel to Russia after he sold the diamond. This is the first brutal instance of bad luck. While other accounts rubbishes the rumour believing that many others flourished economically when they were owners to this diamond one fine example being that of rich London banker Mr Thomas Hope, from where it got its name.
No matter, if it’s actually cursed or not, but Hope Diamond has sure managed to be the talk of the town, garnering attention even today, where hoards of people come to witness its beauty themselves. This beauty is blue to the naked eye and exhibits red phosphorescence after exposure to ultraviolet light. No wonder this unique feature has earned it the title of the “most famous diamond in the world”
History has it that a French merchant-traveller, Tavernier, obtained this diamond in the 1600s by theft or by purchase and is said to have weighted a huge 115 carat when it was brought to Paris, hence the name “Tavernier Blue’’. It passed on through many famous hands like King Louis XV, before reaching the Smithsonian museum it is displayed at today.
One popular myths surrounding the diamond are that it was perhaps stolen from the forehead of a Hindu deity and hence since then is said to be cursed, bringing ill faith to all those who own it. In fact, Tavernier himself is said to have been ripped open by wild dogs on his travel to Russia after he sold the diamond. This is the first brutal instance of bad luck. While other accounts rubbishes the rumour believing that many others flourished economically when they were owners to this diamond one fine example being that of rich London banker Mr Thomas Hope, from where it got its name.
No matter, if it’s actually cursed or not, but Hope Diamond has sure managed to be the talk of the town, garnering attention even today, where hoards of people come to witness its beauty themselves. This beauty is blue to the naked eye and exhibits red phosphorescence after exposure to ultraviolet light. No wonder this unique feature has earned it the title of the “most famous diamond in the world”
